Coast Guard's blanket, coat and toy drive starts today

In an effort to collect donated items that will be provided to villages throughout Southeast Alaska, Liberty crew is working with several local businesses to collect blankets, coats and new toys by Dec. 7.

Contributing businesses will include Taku Fisheries, which will donate bins for the Coast Guard to place throughout the city at Safeway, Super Bear, Fred Meyer, Costco, Wal-Mart, Alaska & Proud market and the Juneau Federal Building.

Following the collection period, Alaska Laundry and Dry Cleaners will donate time and equipment to fully clean all the items donated. Les Schwab Tire Center will provide 300 heavy-duty tire bags to keep the donated items dry during delivery.

Between Dec. 13 and 18, Liberty crew will make deliveries of the donated items to the communities of Hoonah, Angoon, Kake, Pelican and Elfin Cove.